Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1887-08-11
SET IN DIAMONDS
BY Charlotte NJ. Braeme.
CHAPTER XXI.
ONE JULY MORNING.

years past there had not Oeen SO line a
season-no heavy rain cloud deadened
the blue Sky; those terrible words that
mean SO much ruin anu disaster, 1.-THE
Hoods are out" had not been spoken;
The July sun shone on fields of golden
corn aud free and happy barley, on the
fruits growing ripe in the orchard, on
the thousand howers that grew wher-
ever there was room for them; the hap
Ply birds that sung from the shady
shelter or the green Doughs; on the full
Drumming river that gathering sweet
ness. and strength from the hill side,
bore the scent OF the thyme and heather
down 10 the sea; on the brook that
sung through the leafy woods, and on
al the lovely things that live and
grow intne sweet summer time. Every
one talked of the weather; the farmer
grew hopeful, the owners OF the great
1ruit gardens were sanguine.
The Castle had never looked more
beautiful than now, with the ripple OF
foliage and the glory of summer flowers,
all round 1t. The duke took great
care OF his beautiful young wife in
those days; she must go out III the cool
VI the morning only, or when the heat
OF the sun grew less, so that some short
time passed before the duchess was
able to carry out her kindly intentions.
But the d uly day came when the pony
carriage, with its load of fruit and
MOWERS stood before the door of No. 8
Lime Terrace. Over the blue sky this
morning stretched thin veil of white
mccoy clouds; they drifted away now
and then, leaving the dark blue I'M
clouued; the dew had fallen heavily in
In m frh nd haA
the warm earth.
The beautiful face. watching so
patiently from the window, frightened
as the carriage came from between the
trees, but when that same carriage
stopped at the door, and she saw for
herself that the young duchess was
coming TO visit her, then fear and won
der snone in her eyes. She rose quickly;
she put away the dainty work on which
she was engaged; she stood for a few
moments with her hands clasped as one
who prays, and the words that fell from
her lips were something of her hearts
desire"
ait has come at last" she said, "after
the hunger and thirst of years. 1t has
come at last! May Heaven give me
grace and strength to keep firm and
strong"
She stood waiting for the summons
her face white as the face of the dead
her heart beating loud and fast--her
whole being one of pain and suspense.
Thea it came. The little maid, who
had summoned her before for Jennie,
now came To her open-eyed in wonder.
at Is the carria &c from the Castle,
and the duchess herself in it,"
A moments terrible fear, although 1t
was the desire of her heart; a moment"
terrible agony, although for such ait
hour sue has offered her life over and
over again. Then she stilled the pas
sionate heating of her heart-she stilled
the trembling nerves and pulse; great
calm came over her.
The glory of the July sun was lying
all about her as she left her little room.
Short as was the time during which
she had hesitated, the little maid had
ushered the duchess inGo the pretty
little parlor, which was bower OF
flowers.
Slowly the tall, stately figure in the
dark dress came down the stairs
slowly she drew near the door of the
little room. The front door stood
wide open, letting in flood OF yellow
sunlight and breeze full OF perfume.
She saw the carriage standing there,
the groom at the horses heads.
lit has come" was the one thought
that prevailed her whole mind. at
has come"
Then she entered the room. For one
moment her eyes wers daZZled. The
sunlight was so bright and vivid. In 1t
the MOWERS glowed like fame-in the
very heart of it stood a tall, slender
figure; but, oh. Heaven! she could not
look at the face now that 1t was so
near her-the face that had smiled on
her breast. just for one moment it
seemed to her that she must fall and
die; a red mist swan before her eyes
a sound as of rushing waters filled her
ears-a cry formed on her white lips,
but died away. Then a clear, sweet,
high-toned voice said:
II am afraid | have distubaa ou?"
She looked up; the most beautiful
face In the whole wide world was look
ing into hers a face so bright and
radiant that it dazzled her as the sun
had done-the same beautiful eyes
that had looked into hers years ago,
the same beautiful lips that kissed her
face. All, Heaven! how could she look
and live!
IL am afraid have disturbed you?'
continued the clear sweet voice.
"You look very ILL.,"
She knew it-she knew by the trem-
bling of every limb how ghastly the
pallor of her face must be. She could
feel the great drops of anguish that
stood on her brow. She longed to
stretch out her arms, to cry out Just
once, "My child! my child" then fall
dead at her feet.
IL am ill.," she said.
And then the two so near together,
and yet so far apart, looked at each
other In silence.
"what a beautiful face" thought
the duchess, her heart strangely stirred
chow beautiful, how sad" She
drew q chair from the wall. 81 am
sorry to find you ill.," she said gently.
"Will you not sit down?-you look
quite unable to stand. | have called to
see you because want to thank you for
your kindness over the lace"
Mrs. Grey took the chair, and the
duchess sat down on the little couch
In her own mind she thought that in o
few minutes Mrs. Grey would recover
herself-that she was probably unused
to such visits-she would give her time
to recover herself.
"What beautiful flowers you have
she said; ''your room is like little
bower"
Then she stopped abruptly. for those
sad, beautiful eyes, just the color OF
violets, we're fixed upon her with such
intense, passionate alteration and long
Ing, she was confused; and even In
that moment, looking at the dark blue
of the eyes, and the exquisite fairness
OF the skin, the duchess wondered